John McDougal Atherton was an American businessman, property developer, economist, investor and politician based in Louisville, Kentucky. Atherton was elected to one term as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1869 to 1871, and served as a Democrat. As a third generation distiller, he was best known for Atherton Whiskey, a brand he owned until 1899.

Peter Lee Atherton (1862–1939) was an American businessman, property developer, investor and politician based in Louisville, Kentucky. He was a fourth-generation whiskey distiller until 1899.